Two Louisiana Co-Conspirators Sentenced for Crimes Involving Cocaine, Heroin, Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, and Firearms Charges

New Orleans, Louisiana – On Wednesday, December 7, 2022, U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans that Raydell Scott, age 46, a resident of Mount Airy, Louisiana, and Morgan Burl, III, age 43, a resident of Houma, Louisiana, were sentenced in the United States District Court in connection with their pleas of guilty.

Burl pled guilty to a two-count superseding bill of information charging him with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine hydrochloride, 100 grams or more of heroin, 40 grams or more of fentanyl, and 5 grams or more of methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B), and 846 (Count 1) and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(i) (Count 2).

Scott pled guilty to a three-count superseding bill of information charging him with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine hydrochloride, a quantity of heroin, a quantity of fentanyl, and a quantity of methamphetamine, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B), (b)(1)(C), and 846 (Count 1), obstruction of justice, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1512(c)(1) (Count 2), and felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2) (Count 3).

Scott was sentenced to 60 months in the Bureau of Prisons by United States District Court Judge Jane Triche Milazzo. Scott will be placed on supervised release for four years after completing his prison sentence. The court ordered a $300.00 obligatory special assessment charge rather than a fine.

Burl was sentenced to 70 months in prison on Count 1 by Judge Milazzo. Burl was sentenced to 60 months in prison on Count 2 by Judge Milazzo. The Court directed that the sentence imposed in Court 2 to run consecutively with the sentence imposed in Count 1. Burl will be on supervised release for the next five years. While no fine was assessed, a $200.00 obligatory special assessment fee was imposed.

According to court records, Scott and Burl conspired with others in the Eastern District of Louisiana to sell over 500 grams of cocaine, 100 grams of heroin, 40 grams of fentanyl, and 5 grams of methamphetamine. Scott attempted to destroy an amount of heroin while escaping from cops during a traffic stop on April 12, 2019. On May 30, 2019, federal officials executed a search warrant at Scott's home. Inside the home, agents discovered a Ruger Model P89, a nine-millimeter caliber pistol. Scott, a convicted felon, was not allowed to lawfully own a gun at the time he possessed it.

Agents also carried out a search warrant at Burl's home, where they discovered heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine. A Kel Tec semiautomatic pistol, an AR-15.22 caliber rifle, a Taurus.45 caliber pistol, a.38 caliber Smith and Wesson firearm, a Jimenez nine-millimeter semiautomatic firearm, a Titan.25 caliber firearm, a Norinco assault rifle, a Sears & Roebuck 12-gauge shotgun, and a.410 pump shotgun were also discovered.

This case is part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force's ("OCDETF") broad investigation. The Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) is the nation's primary tool for disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations, and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt or dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets.

U.S. Attorney Evans applauded the Drug Enforcement Administration's investigation in this case. The prosecution is led by Assistant United States Attorney Brittany L. Reed.